Three Katsina Lawmakers Defect to APC, Cite PDP Crisis

Umar Idris Shuaibu, Kano
Three members of the House of Representatives from Katsina State have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The notices of defection were read on the floor of the House by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during Thursday’s plenary session.

All three lawmakers pointed to ongoing internal crises within the PDP as the reason for their departure.

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Abdullahi Balarabe, representing the Bakori/Danja federal constituency, said his decision was motivated by the “protracted crisis” within the PDP, which he described as unsustainable.

Abubakar Albaba Aliyu, who represents the Batasari/Safana/Dan-Musa federal constituency, cited the party’s “lack of cohesiveness” as his reason for switching allegiance.

Yusuf Majigiri, representing the Mashi/Dutsi federal constituency, referred to a “high level of internal crisis without cure” in the PDP.

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, along with the APC chairman in the state, Muhammad Ali, and other political stakeholders, were present at the plenary to witness the defections.

Gale of Defections Continues

The lower chamber has seen a wave of defections in recent months. On October 2, 2024, Chris Nkwonta (Ukwa East/Ukwa West, Abia) left the PDP for the APC. Later, on October 30, Sulaiman Abubakar (Gummi/Bukkuyum, Zamfara) also joined the ruling party.

By December 5, 2024, four lawmakers from the Labour Party and one more from the PDP had defected to the APC, further consolidating the ruling party’s majority in the House.